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Lampard: I was lucky not to see red

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William 2012-01-03 11:12 | View topic starter only Tree| Collect| Small Middle Big 1 ^#

Lampard: I was lucky not to see red

Frank Lampard admits he was lucky not to be sent off against Wolves

Frank Lampard admitted he was fortunate to be on the pitch when he struck a late goal to give Chelsea a much-needed win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the England midfielder conceding that Peter Walton, the referee, could easily have brandished a red card following his reckless challenge on Adam Hammill in the 24th minute of their 2-1 victory.

Walton elected to show only a yellow card to Lampard, who caught Hammill late and well above his ankle, leaving the Wolves winger requiring treatment. To rub salt into Wolves' wounds, Lampard not only stayed on the field but also came up with the winning goal when he converted Ashley Cole's centre in the 89th minute, after Stephen Ward had cancelled out Ramires's effort only moments earlier.

The result will do much to relieve the pressure on the Chelsea manager, André Villas-Boas, who was surrounded by half a dozen of the Chelsea players when Ramires scored. Lampard was not among the group and although Villas-Boas said that it would be unwise to read anything into those that were absent from the celebrations, it was noticeable that the midfielder made no attempt to run to the dug-out when he scored at the death.

"My heart was in my mouth over that challenge. I have to admit that," Lampard said. "There was no malice and I honestly mean that but I was late and I might have been a bit lucky to stay on the pitch. I said straight away to Hammill. I was very sorry. I was trying to get my foot in and I was maybe lucky but it wasn't any conspiracy between the referee and us. There were a few things that could have gone either way today. It was a full-blooded game and I just apologised to the player because I was a bit late."

Walton appeared to lose control of the game for a period in the first half and made a number of unfathomable decisions, including allowing Ashley Cole to escape without a yellow card despite poor tackles on Hammill and Kevin Doyle. Five players were booked during a feisty eight-minute spell, including Lampard, whom Villas-Boas believes escaped a red card because of his reputation. It was an argument that went down badly with Mick McCarthy on the back of Nenad Milijas's sending off at Arsenal on Boxing Day, although the Wolves manager was more concerned with the poor defending that led to Lampard's winner than the decision to keep him on the pitch.

Villas-Boas said: "What I would say is that Peter Walton decided on a criteria and established that criteria for the rest of the game. Five minutes into the game there was a situation for a yellow card and he decided not to give it. I know the challenge might have been over the top but I think Peter conceded that Frank is not that type of player to be sent off, to lose his head over a challenge. I would congratulate his decision and his criteria-making during the game. What I normally don't accept, particularly in the Queens Park Rangers game [earlier in the season] is establishing a criteria and then not sticking to it."

Villas-Boas played down suggestions that the celebrations following Ramires' goal were a show of support for the manager. "I think it's just part of their showing of unity for the team and what the team has been doing," he said. "We really tried hard to get those six points at home in the festive period and because it meant something for the run to the Premier League title. But it wasn't the case so I think this was more of a celebration based on the fact that we can get together to save our problems. I don't think it was about [me]."

The Chelsea manager praised his players for the "strength of character" they showed to regain the lead after Wolves equalised and although he left the door open to the possibility that his side could rejoin the title race, he admitted that would only happen if they showed the sort of consistency that has eluded them so far this season. "We need to get a series of wins which hasn't happened. Our best period of the season was three wins and a draw and it's not good enough," Villas-Boas said.

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Lampard: I was lucky not to see red

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